We return to where our story was left last, as Athena Fujina is called out to the challenge by another fellow duelist during this, the first day of the World Duel Carnival Preliminaries, a Duel Monsters Tournament where an entire city is made the battlegrounds for dreams and nightmares alike stimulated by the hearts of those souls brave enough to face it all...

"So tell me, ball boy, are you like 'serious' serious in melding your passions into one? Gotta say, I feel kind-of bad for your poor monsters on that soccer ball of yours, getting jostled around like they are."

"Better believe I'm serious, which leaves you in quite a bit of peril, I'm afraid."

The boy with yellow-hazel irises maneuvers his ball/deck up from his foot, to calve, before bumping it up right into his open palm to hold out with a confident smirk.

"If you think I've got the skills in kicking it, just wait until you see the moves I'll make out on the duel field."

Athena rose a brow and comments mentally,

Again, I can't help but feel a bit concerned for the cards on that ball...

"Now then, pull out your Heart Piece and let's go!"

Forming her own smirk, the girl spiritedly replies while matching the boy's pose of holding out her first tournament ante,

"Hell yeah, let's do it! Heh, I like your style...By the way, name's Athena Fujina, Addy to my friends. Whadda you sport?"

"The name is Striker."

That identity sparked an ember of familiarity within Caswell's mind:

"Did he say Striker...?"

Tiffany and Caden pivot their heads to him as the former asked,

"You know him?"

Placing a finger under his chin, the boy with bowl-cut blue hair replies in vague thought,

"Maybe. The name sure sounds familiar..."

Meanwhile, the crowd of citizens mixed with fellow participants and spectators began buzzing with excitement, smiles and grins of all sizes rimming with anticipation for the duel to fizz to life like a sparkler...Striker and Athena would quickly oblige:

"Time to kick this carnival off!"

"Agreed! We'll write the first chapter for the WDC ourselves! Duel Disk: Go! Duel Gazer: Gimme the best visual you've got for the start of this new piece of Duel History!"

Augmented Reality Vision Link Established.

"(Both Duelists) Now let's Duel!"

Athena would start the battle off:

"Since I was challenged by you, I'll be taking the first move! Draw!"

She glances at the card she just drew, forming a little grin on her face.

"Heh, and a good draw it was too. Alright: I'm placing a monster face-down in Defense Mode. That's it; I pass the baton to you."

Astral comments on her play:

"Gogogo Golem in Defense Mode...Smart move. With all of that trash-talk our fancy-foot-working friend was kicking up, I figured you would foolishly go on the attack...Clearly, I am rubbing off on you."

Smiling with her red irises formed in a mild glare, the girl retorts,

"Tch, please, I'm not that impulsive...Not all the time, at least. Besides, Striker's boasting is pretty mild compared to other examples I've witnessed with my own ears, so I'm hardly bothered enough to go on the offensive too quick for thought."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm."

Speaking of the soccer enthusiast, he cuts into the one-sided-in-his-vision conversation as he began his first turn of the duel.

"I dunno who you're talkin' to over there, but I know that after my first move, you won't be talking to anyone 'cause you're gonna be speechless! Here we go...I Draw! (Looks at card) Just what I was hoping for! It's the Field Spell Card known as, Stadium of Dreams!"

Upon playing said card, the background of the AR World shifts to create a very large soccer stadium, the audience placed into hundreds of seats that ran around the green field!

...To make this developing situation even more interesting, Athena's wardrobe received a temporary makeover, redressing her in a soccer uniform comprised of a red/white t-shirt with her name written in Kanji running down the left side underneath an owl symbol (playing onto one of the major symbols related to her Greek goddess namesake), black shorts with white stripes running down the side, and black soccer cleats that stood out against her long red socks. Her hair was also fashioned into two side braids.

"What the-(tugs at shirt) Hey! I didn't call for a wardrobe switch!"

She wouldn't be the only one: Tiffany also received a new look that followed the soccer theme of this field spell, consisting of a mint green cheerleader uniform with pink and white mixed in (and black modesty shorts under the skirt), with pompoms included. Once more, her two friends outside the main crew, Calli and Hana, somehow got sucked into the chaos with her, sporting their own copies of the uniform.

"Huh?"

"Hey, what gives?!"

"I'm, more partial to a powder blue than green..."

And then acting as the commentary announcers, would be Caden and Caswell, each dressed in their own suits of sandy brown and dark mahogany respectively, a microphone headset added to their Duel Gazers.

"Oh wow! It's like we're at our own World Cup Series!"

"Indeed it is, and it looks like we'll be the ones calling it out in front of these fine people! And if their cheers are any signs, I'd say that this Stadium of Dreams is their dream come true!"

That may have been true for the spectators, but Athena was feeling slightly annoyed by the more loud display.

"Oh brother; it just had to turn into a big show, didn't it?"

Striker calls back,

"It sure did, and there's more: Stadium of Dreams switches all monsters face-down face-up!"

"Aw man!"

On that note, Gogogo Golem rises to stand on the field in Defense Mode...and was wearing a uniform similar to Athena's, signifying one team on this illusionary field of green...

"But I'm not finished! Next I summon, Wing Captain!"

The image of the Level Four Monster is displayed on the stadium jumbo-tron, before rising in front of Striker, their appearance being a peach-orange-shaded android with thin metal wings protruding from the shoulder blades, wearing the same blue uniform as their wielder, and had 1100 Attack Points and Defense Points ready to use.

"Now, go, Wing Captain: Attack!"

Athena kept a cool smirk on her face, unfazed by the power coming her way.

"Sorry, Striker, but your Wing Captain's power is behind Gogogo's by 400!"

"Not once I play the Spell Card, Perfect Pass!"

A white glowing orb the size of a soccer ball appears in front of the boy's foot, who kicks it over to his monster.

"Take it, Wing Captain, and take it to Gogogo Golem, 'cause since Golem's Defense Points are greater than my Captain's Attack Points, my Captain's is doubled!"

Said monster splits into two as their strength rose to 2200!...Still, Athena remained confident in her monster's abilities:

"Bring it on, Double Trouble! Gogogo Golem's special ability allows him to survive an attack once per turn!"

"Ooh, didn't I mention? Perfect Pass negates your monster's special abilities!"

That wiped the smirk off of the girl's face:

"What, seriously?!"

"Can you say, Go-Go-Goooooooaaaaaalllllll!"

Wing Captain whacked the ball hard across the air, to strike in the golem's torso hard, passing through their de-pixelating body to hit Athena's body next!

"Guh!"

"Gooooooooooaaaaaaaallllllll!"

She's thrown back hard enough to go flying right into the soccer net set up behind her, Life Points dropping to 3300, much to her confusion as she rose back up again.

"Hey, what gives? You're not suppose to lose any Life Points if it's a monster in Defense Mode that's destroyed!"

Striker explains smugly as his monster waves to the audience,

"You do when Cappy's Attack Points are greater than your monster's Defense Points. Dont'cha just love Captain's special ability?"

Athena just curses under her breath...

"I'm ending my turn with a face-down! Your turn, Athena, if you dare!"

Despite the lead that the brunette had, Tiffany wouldn't allow her BFF to start feeling discouraged.

"You got this, Addy! 'specially with us acting as your cheer squad, right girls?"

Both the girl with curly black hair with dyed-in blue highlights and the other with long white-blond hair nodded with their own smiles, all three waving their pompoms and cheering,

"Go Addy go! Go Addy go!"

Caswell and Caden would voice their support as well:

"This broadcaster's behind you too!"

"And me! We all believe in your spirit, Addy!"

The girl with red irises stares at each of her cheering friends...before forming a small, encouraged smile.

Well, if they're confident in my abilities, why shouldn't I be?

Facing in front of her, she grabs hold of her next card:

"Okay, round two! I Draw!"

(Swipe)

"Ha, nice! I summon, Gagaga Magician!"

And much like what happened with Gogogo Golem, the Level Four spellcaster also received a modification to their outfit thanks to Stadium of Dreams, wearing the same t-shirt that Athena was wearing...

"Let's take back this duel, Gagaga! Attack Wing Captain!"

Watching as said monster charges forward while dribbling the ball, Caswell comments,

"Great coaching! Gagaga Magician has 1500 Attack Points and Wing Captain's Attack Points are back to normal, so this is a mismatch!"

The spellcaster kicks the soccer ball hard, slamming it right into the other monster's torso, destroying them in a cluster of pixels, much to the delight of Athena's friends.

"Yeah, Addy!" "Gooooaaaal!"

"Whoo-hoo!"

(Bwee-bwee-bwee-bwee-bweeeeeeeee)

...But all that excitement would be shot down when a LitterBot Referee suddenly bleeps their whistle while waving a red/yellow checkered flag. Striker would follow after in stating,

"That last goal is negated."

"What?!" "Negated?!"

Astral and Athena would quickly figure out why, matching eachother with glaring frowns.

"I smell a Trap Card..."

"Yep, and it reeks."

"Tough luck, Athena, but as you can see, I've activated my face-down, Offside Trap!"

"And dare I ask what it's capable of?"

"It allows my Wing Captain to come back from the Graveyard, I take no damage from your attack, plus your turn comes to an end!"

Gritting her teeth while biting back a growl of frustration, the girl remarks,

"Crud, and I barely got started on this turn too!"

Tiffany felt her smile turn into a frown of disappointment, while her fellow cheerleader with caramel skin exclaims in a temper flare-up,

"Oh that's just uncool!"

While Hana tries to calm Calli down, Astral comments,

"Observation Number Fifteen: Soccer is a Thinking Man's Game. Your brand of thought process still needs training."

Athena pivots her head towards him and barks with an annoyed glare,

"Hey, watch it! I'm giving it all I can here!"

Striker cuts in with an amused smirk and taunts,

"Your all? Is that what you call those weak moves?"

"Shut up!"

"It's my move! I Draw! First up, I'm summoning out Top Scorer!"

This new monster to grace the field had a similar appearance to that of Wing Captain, but was simpler in body design with yellow replacing the orange, and was Level Five with 2000 Attack Points. Astral felt his suspicions rise upon seeing such a strong monster out:

"How did he summon a Level Five Monster without using a tribute?"

Athena wasn't far behind, her reaction more prominently bristled:

"Hey! You can't just summon a monster that strong so quick; that's against the rules!"

The boy with dark brown hair and copper orange fringes kept the smirk going as he counters,

"I can when the Field Spell Stadium of Dreams is out: It lets me summon Top Scorer without tributing a monster!"

"Grh, an unfair advantage if I ever heard one!"

"Now go ahead and strike away, Top Scorer! Attack Gagaga Magician!"

One high sidekick's all it takes for the player to strike the ball hard against the spellcaster, destroying them and causing Athena to flinch from the impact as her Life Points fell to 2800. Striker continues to bring the heat:

"And with your defense now in disarray, I'll take shot number two! Wing Captain, Attack!"

The ball comes flying in the girl's direction again, slamming her body into the net, forcing her Life Points to plummet further down to 1700 to the tune of the AI announcer singing,

"Gooooooooooaaaaaaaallllll!"

Tiffany cries out her dueling friend's name with worry, while Caden shields his sharp brown irises with his left hand.

"Ooooh, someone shake me when the bad part's over!"

The soccer enthusiast then calls out,

"Guess what? I'm not done! Next I activate a Spell Card and it's an eye for an eye too, Eye Contact!"

We see his Offside Trap return through the shuffle system of his duel disk...

"Don't blink, 'cause Offside Trap returns to my hand! Next I place one card face-down, and end my turn!"

Athena's POV

There's a probable chance that face-down's Offside Trap again...

Groaning under my breath, I comment in a reluctant mutter,

"I'll give Striker a little credit: He's no pushover in his strategies...He more than likely has Offside Trap at ready, which means he'll be able to stop both my attack and my turn..."

...Not hearing a response for a couple seconds, I turn to look at Astral, raising my brow at his folded arms and closed eyes.

"Uh, hello? Are you listening?"

"Of course I am listening, Athena."

"Then can I please have some helpful input?"

"I think you summed it up well: Things seem quite hopeless."

...That's helpful how?!

It took most of my self-restraint to refrain from swatting a hand against the back of Astral's head (knowing full-well the contact would be lost to his intangibility).

"Tch, nice choice of advice, 'coach'! How's that suppose to motivate me?!"

My temper would only flare higher thanks to Striker's boasting:

"Oh yes, you know it's over. My sick skills have you completely covered, (points at me) and there's not a thing you can do about it, Athena!"

Why that-!

I was ready to belt out a crude comeback, when the whole atmosphere of the duel got interrupted, by the sudden appearance of two men who looked about the same ages as my brothers, maybe slightly older.

The first one had short, big red mahogany hair with orange highlighting in two of the front fringes, light moss green eyes, and wore an outfit that reminded me of Adam's usual fashion style, comprised of a white, long-sleeved button-up shirt under a gray-washed jacket, a dark blue scarf, black pants and tan-brown shoes.

The second guy standing on his right had short, spiky blond hair, hazel irises, his pale skin having a bit more of a tan than the first one, and wore clothes of a more causal air, like Terry, they being a smoke grey fitted tank-top with a dog-tag necklace hanging overtop from his neck, a lighter grey jacket tied around his waist above his dark green cargo capris, and brown flip flops.

I sure as hell didn't know who they were...but Caswell did.

"Oh my! It's Dempsey and Donovan, the quick-kicking brothers who play for Heartland United!"

Heartland United?...Oh yeah, that's the name of our city's professional soccer team!

...Wonder why they're here?

Caden asks that same question aloud, and once again, my brainiac friend from the Academy would provide an answer.

"Wait just a minute: Now I know why Striker's name sounded familiar! It's because he's related to Dempsey and Donovan! He's their kid brother, and third son to world-class coach, Keller Crossit! Talk about a family with some serious soccer skills: Together, they've won more championships than anyone else out there."

As impressive as all of that professional blah-blah-blah sounded...it still begged forth a question I had to ask the boy I was battling against.

"Oi, Striker."

"Hm!?"

"If all of that drivel's true, how come you're playing in a Duel Tournament of all places? Not saying that to be prejudice; just seems a bit odd considering your other career..."

"I'll tell you why: 'Cause I'm nothing like my two brothers, or my father!"

Huh?

I cocked my head to the side in confusion from his angry outburst, and watched as he directed his glare towards the two new arrivals.

"Do you two hear that?! I'm a Duelist, not a Soccer Player 'cause in a Duel, there's no passing or assists! It's all about getting the job done yourself!"

Whoa whoa, back the truck up: Is he thinking what I think he's thinking?

The next part of his rant confirmed my suspicions:

"Somebody somewhere out there once said that there's no I in the word Team. Well in Dueling, the word 'Team' doesn't exist, and I like it that way!"

...

...

I couldn't help it: I had to laugh aloud at this kid's beliefs, which would prompt him to turn back in my direction with an incredulous expression mixed into his glare.

"What are you laughing at?"

"You, stupid, for thinking that teamwork doesn't exist in Dueling. You couldn't be anymore wrong."

It was his turn to form a look of surprised confusion, while Astral asks me,

"What are you doing, Athena?"

Glancing sideways to my intangible friend, I answer,

"Setting Striker straight, Astral, not just for his benefit, but ours too, or this duel's gonna end as a load of crap."

Focusing back on the bitter boy several yards in front of me, I alliterate my argument with a knowing smirk.

"Duelin's all about teamwork, Striker."

"Oh gimme a break!"

"Nah, I'd rather give you a teachable moment...Think about this for a second: Your Wing Captain and Top Scorer. They're not just your monsters, but your teammates."

That brought about the dumbstruck expression I was hoping for, and I continue.

"That's at least how I see my monsters every time the AR World opens for me. I admit, I had a couple slip-ups in the past due to some hard times, but I never forgot it. Every monster...no, every card in my deck makes up my team."

"All your cards, teammates...?"

I nodded with a softer smirk, and Astral cuts in to steer the situation back on course again.

"Focus, Athena. It is our turn to Draw now."

"Gotcha...Say, you seem more eager to get it on. What gives?"

"It is because of you, Athena. That speech you gave has given me an idea, to win."

My heart flutters a bit in excitement, liking this new wave of confidence Astral was displaying...

"Time to put on your rally cap, Athena, because it is comeback time."

"Don't got the cap, but I'm all for the rally. Okay...Draw!"

(Swipe)

"Next-"

"I summon, Zubaba Buster."

I nearly tripped onto my front thanks to my friend's interruption, and shoot him an annoyed expression.

"'Ey, I'm all for teamwork, but don't cut in before I finish my sentences; it's rude!...Anyway, I summon Zubaba Buster!"

Similar to my Knight, Buster is a warrior that wielded a large mace-like weapon, Level Three with 1800 Attack Points...And just as it happened with my other monster so far in this duel, he too was given a soccer uniform shirt to wear.

Can't help but wonder what the female monsters are forced to wear for this Field Spell...

"Then I will use the Spell Card, Monster Reborn to summon back to the field Gogogo Golem!"

Oh good lord, really?

This time instead of glaring at him, I just looked at him with a deadpan of obviousness.

"Uh, how long do you plan on voicing over me?"

"Now now, just think of it as part of the teamwork thing."

"I would and do to an extent, but need I remind you that out of the two of us, I'm the one that can be seen and heard by everybody outside our little circle...?"

...I could've sworn a very light blush of sorts had ghosted over the blue being's cheeks for a second out of realization.

Heh, finally, he has an embarrassed moment. Note to self: Tease him later.

Smirking slightly, I focus out of my thoughts and back to reality to get on further with my turn.

"Next up is the Spell, Monster Reborn! Using it, I call back Gogogo Golem from the Graveyard in Defense Mode!"

Striker's overconfidence flared up as he jeered,

"Ha! Bring out what you like, 'cause there's nothing that can possibly beat my Offside Trap!"

I mutter to myself,

"Nothing at all, huh? Kuh, that's the real impossible right there: There's always some sort of Achilles Heel in any strategy."

Astral agrees:

"Very true, and in this case, you have something better."

"Yeah?"

"Activate the Spell Cross Attack from your hand. Do it now."

Cross Attack?...Aha!

I follow through his word upon clicking to his train of thought:

"I activate the Spell Card, Cross Attack!"

"Now since we have two monsters on the field with the same amount of Attack Points, one of them can attack Striker directly."

In the time Astral summarized the ability of the card, Zubaba Buster had skillfully maneuvered the ball past Top Scorer before punting it straight at Striker, he getting struck in his torso and flew right into the net behind him, his Life Points dropping to 2200!

Though I couldn't hear what he muttered under his breath, the boy definitely showed the disbelief and gritted anger on his face, making me smile sardonically back at him.

There, how'd you like that, wise-guy?

Tiffany and her gal-pals Calli and Hana shook their pompoms and cheered me for my comeback move.

"Go A~ddy! Go A~ddy! Go go, go A~ddy! Yeeaaah!"

Caswell and Caden aren't far behind in their praise:

"What a dazzling display!"

"Dazzling? More like depth-defying!"

My opponent of course would not be as impressed, choosing to rise back on his feet with a bitter expression matching his attitude.

"Alright, so you found out Offside Trap can't activate against direct attacks, big deal!"

Astral argues,

"It is a big deal, because after all, Athena, not only does Striker take damage from Zubaba Buster's attack, but the monster with the fewest Attack Points on the field is also destroyed."

Ri~ght, which means we can say 'see ya' to Wing Captain!

One straight kick from the ball, and that soccer player monster was gone...

"Sure, Zubaba Buster pays a penalty of 800 Attack Points when it uses this ability, but that is a small price to pay to destroy a monster."

I nodded in agreement with his logic, looking at my hand to find another idea for a play.

"And here's where we add another explosive blow, or rather, the Spell Card, Extra Blast! Because a special ability destroyed your monster, you take another 500 Points of Damage!"

Once again, Striker is shoved back hard by the incoming ball, and his Life Points fall to tie with my own at 1700.

"It's all tied up right now!"

"Addy's right back in this thing!"

My BFF followed after my feline-obsessed friend and brainiac buddy, raising her right arm high with the other 'cheerleaders'.

"Wayta go, Addy!"

I call back to everyone,

"Thanks for the support, you guys! (Faces her front) You see now how well teamwork pays off? Alright, I'm throwin' down a face-down and ending my turn. You're up, Striker."

"And I'll throw up if you keep talkin' about teamwork!"

By this point, I was getting rather irritated by his moments of 'blowing his stack' over one little word.

Yeesh, what's his problem? Is he that independent, or was he on a crappy team?

I would get my answer soon enough, and it would be closer-related to the first half of my second question.

"I never believed in it..."

He went on gabbing about a rather humiliating day on the field for him sometime before he began dueling, which reading between the lines was his fault in being so quick to judge the skills of his comrades...

"It was on that day I turned my back on Soccer, and vowed to show my brothers that I was right, that I could be a champion without anyone's help! So here I am, Athena, doing exactly that, and no one is gonna stop me, especially not you!"

...Striker...

I shook my head in both amusement and disappointment, my smile reflecting the same.

"Dude, once again, I'm telling you you're as wrong as wrong can be."

His face contorts into disbelief, and I elaborate,

"If the fact of you having your deck plastered to your ball and your own clothes hasn't jogged your brain, then think of all the cards you've got. Tch, turned your back on the game, eh? Don't make me laugh: You're still as soccer-crazy as you were back when."

"Grrrh, that's not true! I'm over Soccer now!"

"Still playing stubborn, hm? Alright, (waves a hand) let's cast our eyes over the battlefield, then: A soccer stadium, created by one of your very cards...Come on, you don't need to deny it, Striker. You can say that you still love your passion, even if it's been annoying you this past while."

"...Do I?"

I watch as he checks out his current hand and field, making me smile in a knowing fashion.

We~ll, looks like someone's blinders are comin' off...

But, I knew that this epiphany moment would be short-lived, and we would have to get back to the current game being conducted.

"It's my turn! Here goes!...Perfect!"

Hearing that spurt of confidence made my guard jump up warily.

Hoh boy, here we go...

"Straight from my hand, I'm summoning Defending Sweeper! And when Stadium of Dreams is on the field, it gains one full level!"

On one hand, I wasn't worried about this monster's weak offense and strong defense...Yet on the other, the increase of levels got my inner warning bell ringing...

"But I'm not done yet. I may not believe in teamwork, but I believe in this Spell, All-For-One!"

And here's where that instrument starts ding-ding-dinging like a five year-old playing the xylophone.

"This isn't gonna be good for us, is it?" Astral replies,

"I am afraid not. In fact, it could mean the end for us. Since there are two monsters on the field with the same type and level, All-For-One allows Striker to summon another monster from his Graveyard, so long as it is the same type as the other two."

Crap. And I'm more than positive I know which one...

"Suit up, Wing Captain, you're back on the field!"

Called it.

When said monster rose back on the field, I caught Striker and they nodding to one another, telling me there was more to this revival than meets the eye.

"But not only does All-For-One bring the Captain back, it also lets me give 'im one extra level!"

I note on my side,

"Now he's got three Level Five Monsters...Oh god, don't tell me he can-"

"Now I can overlay Level Five Top Scorer, Defending Sweeper and Wing Captain!"

All three players go shooting up for the skies in their own distinct streams of orange light, before diving back down into a red vortex that opened just above Striker's net. I relaxed the slightest, now more assured that this won't be a duel for Numbers, this time.

Hm, alright, so it's a regular XYZ...Wonder what it'll be like?

"And now that the Overlay Network has been created, I can XYZ Summon! Come on out, Playmaker!"

The monster that would be before my vision had a similar appearance to that of Wing Captain, but taller and with cybernetic wings that reminded me of a pterosaur, red dominating the colour scheme rather than orange, and was Rank Five with 2600 Attack Points.

Caden and Caswell would become worried for my well-being:

"2600 Attack Points?!"

"Oh no, that's enough to eliminate Addy from the Duel Carnival!"

...Of course, while their anxieties may have risen, I felt a new rise of excitement within myself, a slight smirk forming on my face. Noticing that I wasn't cringing in fear, Striker asks me with a raised brow,

"What's with the brave look?"

"Simple: Whenever I see a strong opponent, I get excited."

He seemed taken aback by my answer, but nonetheless got on with his turn.

"Go, Playmaker: Attack Zubaba Buster!"

Astral cuts in to remind me of my cards:

"Athena, you have a Trap to play."

"That I do, and now's a good time as any! I activate the Trap, Half Unbreak! With this in play, my Buster can't be busted, and I only take half damage, so go ahead and hit me with your best shot!"

My monster becomes incased in a safety bubble, which Playmaker would punt the ball against hard, blasting an afterwave of power in my direction to shield myself from as my Life Points dropped to 900...But I wasn't worried: I was still in it to win it.

"Keh, was that the best Playmaker had to offer? A shame, really."

"Don't get cocky; more damage is coming your way! I activate Playmaker's ability: By using one Overlay Unit, Playmaker gets to attack again! And this time, it's gonna take on your strongest monster!"

"Nice plan, in theory that is! Need I have to tell you about Gogogo Golem's ability again? He can withstand an attack once per turn!"

In accordance to my counter retort, Golem manages to hold his ground and act as goalie...

"I'll just attack it again then!"

I knew that would be his next move, but it still hurt watching Gogogo Golem getting pixelized into oblivion by that dang soccer ball...Smiling sadly, I mutter mentally,

Thanks for sticking around as long as you could, Golem...

"And I'll think I'll use my final Overlay Unit, for one more attack! Zubaba Buster's the only one left, so attack it, Playmaker!"

"Fat chance, ball boy, 'cause Half Unbreak's still in play!"

On that note, the bubble shield surrounds my monster again, leaving the ball to bounce off it, yet sends a wave of impact against my body to go flying backwards into the net as my Life Points drop to a dangerous 100!

"Addy, no!"

"It's alright, Tiff."

I got back to my feet with ease, sending a half-smile, half-smirk her way to show I was fine.

"That felt more like a flop onto my bed than a major shove...Besides, how can I feel crappy when I'm in the winner's circle?"

That caught Striker's attention in an incredulous manner:

"What're you talkin' about, 'you're in the winner's circle'? I just blasted your monsters and you only have 100 Life Points left!"

"So what? Those details don't mean much. As long as I believe in my team, the outcome will always be bright."

Now that definitely broke through into the boy across the way, and I see a smile form on his face...But commenting on that would have to wait.

"Okay, it's my turn, isn't it? I Draw! First, I summon Gagaga Girl!"

She jumps to the field ready to help in this battle...and wound up in a cheerleader uniform thanks to Stadium of Dreams, making me fight back the urge to snicker.

Oh good grief...

"Just 1000 Attack Points? How on earth is that gonna help you?"

Striker's expression of amusement was short-lived after I discreetly gestured a head nudge to my monsters...replaced with a look of realization to contrast my little grin.

Two Level Threes, dude~...

"Well done, Athena. Now you can XYZ Summon."

It made me feel a little proud of myself to hear the praise from Astral.

"Thanks. (Looks ahead) You see? A little teamwork goes a long way, Striker! I Overlay Level Three Zubaba Buster, and Gagaga Girl!"

They shift into orange and purple streams of light to go diving into the red vortex forming in front of me...

"With the Overlay Network built, I can finally have a turn in XYZ Summoning, and as you'll hear, this monster knows how to strum a beat. Come to the stage, Muzurhythm the String Djinn!"

A few chords later, we would all be graced with the sight of my Rank Three monster with 1500 Attack Points and the appearance of a short, mysterious guitar minstrel with a rose in his mouth and a horned fedora.

"Next from my hand, I play the Eqiup Spell, Giant Hunter on Muzu!"

Astral compliments me further:

"Nice work, Athena. Now Striker cannot use Spell or Trap Cards until the battle is over this turn."

Muzu strums out a few notes to go bouncing off my opponent's face-down, forcing it into a frozen state, much to his dismay.

"Wait! But that means I'm not allowed to use my Offiside Trap!"

"Right as rain, smarty. Also, when a monster equipped with Giant Hunter attacks, and I have less Life Points than my opponent, their monster's Attack Points get split down the middle."

Just as I say that, Playmaker's strength dove down to 1300...

"Aw, there goes my offense!"

I don't bother to hide my smug smirk as I call back,

"Oh it's only gonna keep goin' downhill from here, I'm afraid. I now activate Muzurhythm the String Djinn's ability! Using one Overlay Unit, when he attacks your XYZ, his strength is doubled. This is where the solo rift really gets cranked to ten!"

My monster leaps into the air playing his double-necked guitar, and whirls around and around in a mini tornado...

"Take it to Playmaker, Muzu!"

One strong kick was all it took, and Playmaker was out of the game, along with Striker who goes flying back so hard he rips through the net alongside the ball!

"Gooooooooooaaaaaaaaaalllllll!"

Score!

"Goaaal! Athena comes from behind in an unbelievable finish! Alright, Addy; wayta go, hooray!"

Tiffany and her girls were right behind Cade in their cheers:

"Addy Addy, won the duel, took that boy right down to school! Yaaaaay, Addy~!"

I shook my head in amusement from the somewhat lame routine:

Hoh boy, this better not be the start of Tiff's cheerleader career, or I might have to have a little 'discussion' with her...

Astral's voice would snap me back to the real world:

"You did it, Athena! You won!"

"Sure did, and I couldn't have done it without my team, the full team. Thank you, Astral."

He smiled slightly at me and nodded just as the AR World faded away, leaving me back in my clothes from before, much to my relief.

"Hoh, thank god, now I'm not in that sport jersey anymore..."

My ears then pick up on the sound of a groan, and my focus turned back to Striker as he removed his gazer with a down expression. I smirked a little in a sympathetic manner, before making my way over with my friends trailing behind me...

...What I almost didn't expect, was Striker's next phase of his reaction to the duel's outcome, which was a good laugh aloud. I rose a brow with a upturn of lip closer to a smile and asked casually,

"What's the joke, man?"

"The joke is that you were right: I haven't turned my back on Soccer. It's still my passion...but it took this duel to realize that."

To hear that from him made me feel good for the both of us.

"Nice to know your temper's comin' into check."

He gets up onto his feet so we were at eye-level as he added a bit humbly,

"I also learned something else from watching you, Athena: Teamwork. I finally saw how it really works...Hm?"

We pivot our heads to our respected lefts and rights upon hearing footfalls approaching our way, and saw his older brothers, Dempsey and Donovan, who were smiling proudly at their younger sibling.

"Is that so, Striker? Then maybe it's time you return to the pitch,"

"And be part of our team, bro."

Striker was taken aback, but in a good way:

"Do you, really mean it?"

"We sure do, Striker. After all, we're family, and that's the closest team of them all."

I nodded to myself in acknowledgement of that notion:

Damn right, and once your friends become family, that team only gets bigger...

"I realize that now, and I promise you both that I'll never forget it."

A collective smile of brotherhood spreads between the three, and I noted,

"Think this a case of 'You lost but won'."

"Yeah, but you're always winning when you believe in your teammates. I can't thank you enough, Athena."

We clasp eachother's hands in a friendly way as I reply back,

"No thanks necessary, and I know you're gonna grow into a soccer star to be proud of...Mm?"

I feel something in my palm, and break the grip to find Striker's Heart Piece in my hands.

"And you, a Duel Champion."

"...Duel Champ, huh? Heh, maybe. I at least have as good a shot as everyone else..."

I clicked the fake jewel into the brass frame, making the total count of two out of five.

And only three more to go...

"It'll be a hard climb to the top, but I'm willing to put in the hard work and sweat, so look out fellow duelists, 'cause Athena Fujina's coming!"